The goal of the NC Data Science Panel Series is to showcase the different educational pathways that high school students can take to become a data scientist and highlight the variety of career opportunities available in this field. Through a series of conversations and Q&A, students and teachers will have the opportunity to hear from real data scientists about their work and individual backgrounds.The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) will host the NC Data Science Panel Series events, attract participants, and reach out to their business/university connections to recruit speakers for the events.

The NC Data Science Panel Series will leverage NCSSM’s strengths in research, education and technology, experience hosting virtual events, along with high school partnerships in 63 of North Carolina’s most economically distressed counties, to deliver career-relevant education in Data Science to a diverse student population. Grant funding through South Big Data Hub will kickstart this program by providing funding the start up costs for the first year of implementation. The projects anticipates that the inclusion of panelists from North Carolina businesses will attract private funding to continue the NC Data Science Panel Series in future years.